In many situations, painkillers can act as life savers. Whether it’s post-surgery pain or chronic backache, taking painkillers to relieve the pain can vastly improve one’s quality of life. However, several prescription painkiller 
pills carry the potential for misuse and can lead to addiction. According to the National Institute of Health, three million U.S. citizens have had or currently suffer from an opioid use disorder (OUD).
Enrolling in a painkiller rehab program can help you recover from addiction and find healthy ways to cope with pain. If you or a loved one is seeking a painkiller addiction rehab, reach out to Serenity Grove for effective and personalized substance abuse treatment.
Painkillers, especially those which fall into the category of opioids or opiates, are particularly dangerous, even when they are prescribed by a doctor. To know more about our painkiller addiction treatment, call us at 844.904.3485.
What is Painkiller Addiction?
Painkiller addiction is a medical condition characterized by the compulsive use of pain-relieving drugs, often leading to harmful consequences Painkillers, particularly opioids, work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and other parts of the body, reducing the perception of pain and often inducing feelings of euphoria or relaxation.
Over time, the brain adapts to these drugs, leading to tolerance (needing more of the drug to achieve the same effect) and dependence (experiencing withdrawal symptoms when the drug is not used). This physical dependence, coupled with psychological dependence (craving the feelings the drugs provide), leads to addiction.
Common Painkillers Associated with Addiction
- Opiate Drugs: These include prescription opioids like oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, and fentanyl. These drugs are highly addictive due to their potent effects on the brain’s reward system.
- Ketamine: Although primarily used as an anesthetic, ketamine has been misused for its hallucinogenic and sedative effects. It’s less commonly associated with addiction compared to opioids but can still be habit-forming.
- Valium (Diazepam): Part of the benzodiazepine class, Valium is used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures. It’s not a traditional painkiller but is often misused for its calming effects. Benzodiazepines can be addictive and are dangerous when combined with opioids.
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The Importance of Painkiller Addiction Treatment
While painkillers often provide instant relief and help an individual effectively manage symptoms of chronic pain, they often have far-reaching, long-term side effects. At Serenity Grove, we have a dedicated painkiller rehab program for the following reasons:
- After a point, the body may develop a tolerance to a painkiller, prompting the person to consume it more regularly or at a higher dosage, leading to health complications.
- Once an individual is addicted to painkillers, they may turn to street drugs to experience euphoria or dull the sensations of chronic pain.
- Prolonged use of painkillers can lower one’s pain sensitivity in the long run, thereby making their chronic pain worse. For instance, it can lead to a condition called opioid-induced hyperalgesia, where a person taking pills for back pain may gradually experience pain in other parts of the body, leading to an increased dependence on opioid medication.
- Painkiller addiction increases the risk of death by overdose.
- It can also result in co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, and insomnia.
Thus, a painkiller addiction treatment program will empower you to fight your chemical dependence on painkillers and develop healthy pain management strategies.
How Our Painkiller Addiction Treatment Program Works
At Serenity Grove, our goal is to help clients recover from addiction and go on to live fulfilling lives. In our painkiller rehab program, each client receives the highest levels of medical attention, intensive support, and therapeutic continuing care.
Thus, clients looking to enroll in our painkiller addiction rehab can expect some or all of the following services:
● 24-hour nursing care for high acuity detox
● End-to-end care, including detox, residential treatment, outpatient rehab, and lifelong continuing care
● Medication management (such as fluid, electrolyte, and vitamin replacement for detox clients)
● Evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma therapy, anger management, and motivational interviewing
● Continuity with therapists, wherein our clients work with the same counselors throughout the treatment process
● Life skills training to help the client adjust to everyday life and slowly reconnect with the community
Moreover, our team follows a dual-diagnosis approach in painkiller addiction treatment and other substance use disorder treatment programs. As part of this approach, we treat both the physical symptoms of addiction, and co-occurring mental health issues, guiding the client to make a full and lasting recovery.
Find Hope and Healing at Serenity Grove
No one is beyond help at Serenity Grove. At our state-of-the-art facility in Athens, GA, we offer a tranquil and supportive environment for clients to slowly heal and rebuild their lives.
From residential care to outpatient treatment, we offer many services and therapies, as addiction recovery is a different path for each individual. Following a medical assessment and psychological evaluation, we provide a personalized treatment plan as per one’s recovery goals, unique needs, and budget.
It is never too late to change your life for the better. Call us at 844.904.3485 and embark on your healing journey today. You can also reach us by filling out our online contact form.
